- 3760 Southborough Rd Florence, SC 29501
- info@marinerlearningcollaborative.org
- 843-496-1113
My name is Ross Hill. I have been blessed with an incredible wife and we have 8 children. (Yes, you read that right, 8 children. You see why she’s so incredible.) In addition to being a husband and father, I am the founder and director of Mariner Learning Collaborative. I have over 15 years of teaching experience in public schools, charter schools, colleges and homeschool. I have taught in a variety of settings from pre-K and elementary age children’s church, VBS, and youth ministry, to middle school students, high school, college, and adults. I love learning new things and sharing that with others. In the school setting, I have had the opportunity to teach Geography, U.S History, World History, World Religions, New Testament History, History of Technology, Current Events, Leadership, Technology courses, and Education courses.
I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in History from Francis Marion University and went on to earn a Master’s degree in American History and eventually National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards. In 2019, I was recognized as Teacher of the Year at my school. While I love teaching and working with adolescents, over the years I met many students who hated school and felt trapped in a system that did not work for them.
Throughout my career, I became more and more frustrated with the regulations and constraints placed on students and teachers that reduced education to a “one-size-fits-all” approach that not only sucked the joy out of learning but oftentimes hindered authentic learning. The goal of improving standardized test scores at the expense of deep engaging learning and children’s social-emotional well-being did not sit well with me. While I have had the pleasure of working with many caring professionals who really want what’s best for students, they also feel trapped in a system that often hinders their ability to do what’s best for their students. I began to see that the conventional system of schooling was not working not only for my students but also for my own children.
Over time, I felt God was leading me to step out in faith and create something that empowered adolescents to take responsibility for their own education and in the process recapture the joy of learning. I came to discover that allowing adolescents to have more autonomy over their education led to deep, authentic, and relevant learning that better prepared them for the life they want to live.
I also came to realize that learning should not and cannot be contained by the four walls of a classroom or the lesson plans of one teacher. At Mariner Learning Collaborative, we believe that learning happens everywhere all the time through a variety of sources and settings. While Mariner will offer classes based on the passions of the staff and volunteers combined with the interests of the members, we also recognize that much of their learning will occur outside of our classes. Mariner members will also have the freedom to learn through online courses, one-on-one tutoring sessions, one day workshops, college courses, a good book, discussions with their peers, YouTube videos, volunteering, internships, part-time jobs, and many field trips in the community.
With the support of their parents and the staff and volunteers at Mariner, adolescents have the freedom to explore their interests and set their own learning goals and chart out the path that works best for them. Unlike conventional schools that impose their own goals and processes on students, sapping their motivation, Mariner members are working to achieve their own goals, fueling their motivation to work through difficult subjects to reach their destination.
Alicia is the mother of three beautiful children and an incredibly supportive husband. She has a diverse background, holding two bachelor’s degrees: the first in Mathematics and Education from Castleton State College, and the second in Graphic Design and Media Arts with a concentration in Web Development from Southern New Hampshire University.
She has taught in various settings, including serving as a curriculum coordinator at a pre-K nonprofit organization, teaching in both middle and high public/private schools, and tutoring middle/high school students and adult learners privately.
“I have two main passions when it comes to teaching: first, I love to make learning math enjoyable, and second, I strive to connect with students on a personal level to enhance their learning experience. I am eager to find creative ways to ignite students’ interests and boost their confidence to help them find their place in the world.
When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, completing DIY projects around our home, and engaging in creative activities and crafting with my children.”
Our dedicated board and volunteers come from diverse backgrounds ranging from public school administrators and counselors to home school parents and teachers. They have worked in a variety of settings but they are united by a love for Christ and a desire to help kids thrive.
We serve families from all over the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Our center is located at 3760 Southborough Rd. Florence, SC 29501 on the campus of HRBC – Oakdale.
